Poor Richter. Last night he and Shanoa were playing chase in the yard, just normally. I still don't really know what happened, but he must have hit his toe wrong while running or something, and he ended up breaking one of his middle back toes. The break is actually across the growth plate, which isn't so great, but my vet is optimistic that it will heal quickly and well. It's not a break that is something that can be fixed surgically, so he's in a splint for now.

The poor baby was SO good at the vet's office, even when they were doing the exam (pressing on everything), then the x-rays, and finally putting the splint on. He was such a trouper.

I feel like the world's worst owner for having this happen, but my vet said this is a one in a million type of thing. It just doesn't happen with puppies. Still, I feel awful.

Here's my poor baby resting on the sofa. You can see how much padding he has around the splint! He's also on Rimadyl for a few days for pain and inflamation.

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Richter

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Elka broke one of her front toys when she was a year old and change (she was dragging a leash in the back yard, pounced on a tennis ball, got caught up in the leash...) They didn't even splint it at the vet. They said "I know she'll hate this and fight it" and I guess the way it broke wasn't so bad? But, "keeping her quiet" for eight weeks was hard, though she stopped limping day 3.

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Havoc's littermate broke a similar toe. I don't know if it hit the growth plate. Owner stepped on it accidentlly She healed just fine and you'd never know she had issues. Active, runs plays hunts showed, etc. Just as annoying as any other hyper Vizsla.

When hubby had Envy out with Flirt the first week, he turned around "for a second" - Flirt was chasing a squirrel and from inside I heard the PUPPY SCREECH. Flirt can't stop, ran right over the top of her. She wouldn't walk at first...PANIC...many gray hairs sprouted and then she realized she really was ok. They like to give us gray hairs

Awww---poor baby.
Actually I don't know which of you to feel more sorry for. Richter, for his undeniable owie, or you, for all the pampering and entertaining you're going to have to do for the next few weeks.

I had an Aussie pup that did the same thing at just about the same age. Healed quickly and just fine and never had an issue. Don't beat yourself up. It happens. I keep waiting for Wheeler or Lola to get hurt, the way they play and beat each other up. The only thing you can do is not let them play.... and that's no way to live!

Mocha did the same a few summers ago; jumped over a pile of bricks mid-zoomie, knocked her front foot on it, stopped zooming and just limped back to the house. We inspected up and down her leg and foot and she didn't flinch or whimper, even when we wiggled her toes, but she wouldn't put weight down and so we went to the vet. Yup, two broken toes on that foot. No splint, though... they said she'd just chew it off.

Glad to hear Richter's doing alright again. Sometimes puppies just forget that they're a little fragile when they're zipping around the yard.

Prime dislocated and broke a back toe jumping out of the crate in the car. Took a while for his gait to go back to normal. Due to habit of babying it.
Hopeing for a speedy recovery ( we have insurance too) best choice ever

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